ERLING HAALAND WAS not involved as Manchester City trained in front of media cameras prior to their Champions League trip to Red Star Belgrade.
The prolific Norway striker had already seemed likely to miss Wednesday’s final Group G game in Serbia after sitting out the Premier League win at Luton on Sunday with a foot injury.
Manager Pep Guardiola was unsure how long Haaland would be out when asked over the weekend, but expressed hope he would be fit for their opening Club World Cup match in Saudi Arabia next week.
That would also mean the 23-year-old, who has scored 19 goals in all competitions this season, missing Saturday’s clash with Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium.
Winger Jeremy Doku was also absent from the part of the training session that media were allowed to film at the City Football Academy on Tuesday morning.
The Belgian has missed the last two games with a muscular problem.
There is nothing riding on the game for City, who have already qualified for the knockout stages as group winners.
Chelsea, meanwhile, have confirmed skipper Reece James sustained a hamstring injury in Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Everton.
The England right-back was one of three players who went off injured for the visitors during the Premier League contest at Goodison Park, along with goalkeeper Robert Sanchez and left-back Marc Cucurella.
A statement on Chelsea’s official website on Tuesday said: “Captain Reece James has undergone medical assessment following Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Everton.
“The defender was withdrawn during the first half at Goodison Park and scan results have confirmed a hamstring injury. Reece will now begin his rehabilitation programme at Cobham.”
Speaking after Sunday’s match – about his disappointment at losing the 24-year-old to injury – Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino emphasised James’ importance, describing him as “one of the best full-backs in the world”.
Pochettino also said Sanchez had departed due to a knee issue, and Cucurella because of a twisted ankle.
Those problems add to an already-lengthy injury list for the west London club, who are 12th in the table.
